REIGNING CHAMPIONS edged Burundian Urunani basketball club to clinch this year’s International Gisembe Genocide memorial tournament title on Sunday.

Espoir clinched the title after easily beating 85-48 Burundi’s military side Uranani on Sunday evening in a tie that preceded women’s final won by Burundian Belco stars who beat 67-55 Magic stormers of Uganda.

In men’s final, it was a revenge for Espoir who had lost 66-59 to Urunani in the group stages on Friday night.

Espoir and national team’s small forward, Lionnel Hakizimana was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the Men’s competition and doubled as the top scorer with 88 points from four matches.

Hakizimana who won the Most Valuable Player award said, “I’m really humbled for the awards (top scorer and MVP), I did not think I would make it but with Espoir basketball family it got to be possible. Thanks to my teammates, coaches, team staff, our fans and officials at large”